trickydicky Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 hi, off to spain again on the 27th dec. we normally go straight down the centre of france but last year we returned via the somport tunnel and decided it was proberbly the most easiest route we have done considering we don't use the toll roads. so we are thinking of going that way this time.does anyone know if there is an aire or campsite just before the tunnel please.there are a couple listed in the aires de france book but we would like to be closer to the tunnel when we stop if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgain Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 check the weather for that area, when you are near, as it can get a lot of snow in that part of the world, and you may well need snow chains,otherwise it is a nice tunnel and free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manu Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Hi TD, av a look at Oloron St Marie, the aire is by the river ....lovely village. Small aire with all you need including leccy, narrow entrance & when you turn in park on left if you want tv. Always raining when we go there .....wellies & brolly essential, happy travels. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Oloron is a good place to stop. Pau is well worth a visit too. And when you get through the Somport tunnel on the Spanish side, if you take the first available exit, it takes you into the small village of Canfranc, with its amazing, vast, derelict railway station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmac Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 We used the tunnel in Sept this year and stayed in Pau going both ways.. However we visited friends in Villnau ( think that is how you spell it!) and we overnighted for 2 nights there. The small village is on both sides of the road and we stayed on the LHS ( going South.). As you enter the village on this side if you go right there is a large area where the odd wagon and/or Motorhome stop. If you leave the ' van there and walk a bit further in, you find a Green area with flats nearby and we stayed there for 2 nights without problem. The police passed a couple of times to my knowledge but paid no heed. As someone else pointed out however the weather can quickly change there and a bit of planning will pay dividends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 thanks for your replies.will try oloron and will take a look at vilanau,sounds interesting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambukashot Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Here is the link for the Oloron Aires on the map if you need ithttp://www.camperstops.co.uk/index.php/france/free-aires-in-france/1-free-aires-in-france/5599-oloron-sainte-marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peedee Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Depends what you mean by "just before the tunnel" The disadvantage of staying too close to the tunnel on the higher ground is it can be very cold in winter. I have stopped at the Aire at Aire sur L’Amour which leaves a comfortable 200 mile drive to Zaragoza's Camping site. The aire is a large tarmac area by the side of the river and is only a 5 minute walk into town. The charge was 3 euros a night and 1 euro for water. peedee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 thanks for all the replies. the reason we wanted to be closer to the tunnel was purely because we drive all the way to alicante from that last stopover in france and as you will be aware it's quite a drive. didn't know there was somewhere to stay in zaragossa (would love details if poss please).we have never found anywhere to stay on that part of the journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJA Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Hi There is the municipal campsite in Zaragosa. Its not far off the ring road. (www.campingzaragosa.com) When we went through the Somport tunnel we stopped at the aire in Pomarez which is a few miles WNW of Pau. The aire is in the centre of the village close to the local shops and a small Carrefor. The aire takes 12 and is next to the Bull Ring and had free lecky as well as water and disposal facilities. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 We used to use the aire at Oloron Sainte Marie, but it was often busy and if on the right hand side, satellite reception is hit and miss. For the last few times we have uses layby/picnic areas on the road towards the tunnel about five miles north of Oloron. No facilities, but no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Its a Great road from Somport Tunnel down to Valencia, with some scenic parking areas. But empty and remote - I wouldn't feel safe parking overnight. I generally pull off into one of the villages to park and sleep. I just park alongside the church, or barn, rather than directly outside a house and never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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